Alan Wake II

Alan Wake 2 is a bold and confident follow-up to its original, and worth the wait in every way. Remedy has crafted something timeless that will be talked about for a long time and has unexpectedly become the game to beat in the survival horror genre. Surreal, tense, funny, absurd and nerve-wracking all at once, Alan Wake 2 is a game all of its own and one you really should experience.

Alan Wake 2 is the magnum opus of horror games, but not simply because it delivers some scares. Oozing with creative flair, it confidently flaunts unconventional and even experimental methods of storytelling, which makes it very special indeed.

Alan Wake 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece, and a game that you absolutely need to play. Kudos, Remedy.

Narratively, visually, and mechanically, Alan Wake 2 is what horror should be.

Alan Wake 2 shifts its predecessor's concept. It is a detective-esque survival horror and the formula fits wonderful. Being Resident Evil 2 its greatest inspiration, the new game from Remedy steps up in narrative terms and offers a thrilling story that connects every past title from the company. One of the best games of the year.

Alan Wake 2 is Remedy Entertainment's true masterpiece. A survival horror that manages to sensationally blend the pivotal elements of the genre, with gameplay balanced between two protagonists and with non-linear storytelling that on more than one occasion breaks through the barriers of the video game medium to create something broader, and that succeeds in capturing the player also thanks to a technical and artistic realisation of the highest level. A video game that everyone, fans of the genre or not, should consider playing.

Alan Wake 2 might feel slightly different than the original in terms of composition, but it’s still equally as brilliant. With two vastly different campaigns and perspectives, Remedy’s sequel is a great survival-horror game and a fantastic detective drama, boasting one of the best narratives in recent memory.

Alan Wake 2 is a title that not only meets expectations, but far exceeds them.

Listen, I have waited a long time for this game and Remedy delivered a masterpiece here, flaws and all. The new creation of their own Remedy Universe shines brightly with the amount of crossover on display here with their last game Control. It was almost surprising how much the Federal Bureau of Control comes up against Saga and the FBI over the course of the game. I say surprising, but it is actually exciting to see what the future holds for these games. If Alan Wake 2 is any indication, Remedy is just getting started and whatever the greater story being told here I cannot wait for more. Fans of Alan Wake and its spin-off American Nightmare are going to love getting to reap the harvest of those seeds sowed so long ago. But Alan Wake 2 is also accessible for new fans alike and I would admonish anyone who genuinely enjoys weird, deep stories to check this one out.

As we get closer to the conclusion, Alan Wake 2 becomes more enthralling. The questions that we thought were solved come back to light and the connections with the studio's other titles become more than evident. In the last stretch, it's the combat that gets in the way of our desire to advance in the story, but even so, each battle against a boss has a twist to enjoy. The ending will make us want to play it again, this time with a new perspective, and knowing the outcome each text and intervention is more enjoyable. Remedy managed to outdo itself and, at the same time, set a new standard for the genre.

A brave, ridiculous survival horror game that oftentimes needs to be seen to be believed, Alan Wake 2 showcases a developer at the peak of their powers.

Alan Wake II presents us with a more mature and evolved Remedy, able to unite their universes and have fun while offering what is undoubtedly their best title to date.

Where Alan Wake was a very good idea executed with a few too many flaws, its sequel serves up a survival horror masterclass. Yes, the combat is still not 100% there, but this one slight misstep aside, what we've got with Alan Wake 2 is superlative stuff. This is an incredibly clever, refreshingly grown-up and wonderfully well-made slice of psychological horror. The acting, writing, sound design, graphics... every aspect has been nailed in a game that makes for another addition to 2023's incredibly long list of absolute bangers.

Alan Wake II understands that horror should tap into our fear of uncertainty and a dislike for disorientation, rather than just providing jump scares. Remedy’s latest is at its best when it’s elusive, and you have little idea where the plotline is headed next. Occasionally, it can be a bit self-congratulatory. But if you overlook that quibble, you’re in for a harrowing time.